Pressure-resistant hose using polyethylene fabrics

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a pressure-resistant hose and forming method thereof, which is capable of effectively spouting liquid or gas of high pressure even though the pressure-resistant hose is of a relatively small thickness, reducing the material cost of the pressure-resistant hose and improving the flexibility of the pressure-resistant hose. The Pressure-resistant hose comprises a first polyethylene mixture and one or more second hose layers. The first hose layer is formed by bonding together longitudinal ends of a first polyethylene mixture fabric coated with one or two watertight films at one or both surfaces of the first polyethylene mixture fabric. Each of said second hose layers if formed by bonding together longitudinal ends of a second polyethylene mixture fabric coated with one or two watertight films at one or both surfaces of the second polyethylene mixture fabric.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to apressure-resistant hose and forming method thereof and, moreparticularly, to a pressure-resistant hose and forming method thereof,which is capable of effectively spouting liquid or gas of high pressureeven though the pressure-resistant hose is of a relatively smallthickness, reducing the material cost of the pressure-resistant hose andimproving the flexibility of the pressure-resistant hose.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In general, a pressure-hose is utilized to convey liquid or gasto a certain location, and requires pressure-resistance and flexibility.

[0003] In order to fulfill such requirements, the inventor of thepresent invention proposed a multi-layered hose having fabric layers.The conventional pressure-resistant tube comprises a first tube layer, asecond tube layer and a third tube layer. The tube layers are generallymade of rubber or PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC). A first fabric layer isbonded on the outer surface of the first tube layer. The second tubelayer is combined with the first fabric layer at the outer surface ofthe first fabric layer. A second fabric layer is bonded on the outersurface of the second tube layer. The third tube layer is combined withthe second fabric layer on the outer surface of the second fabric layer.The first and second fabric layers are employed while being braided tohave a predetermined density. The first and second fabric layers arerespectively bonded on the outer surfaces of the first and second tubelayers by heating using steam. The second and third tube layers arecombined with the first and second fabric layers by extruding the secondand third tube layers to the outer surfaces of the first and secondfabric layers, respectively.

[0004] However, in the conventional pressure-resistant tube constructedas described above, since the first, second and third tube layers aremade of rubber or PVC and the first and second fabric layers areinterposed between the neighboring tube layers of the first, second andthird tube layers, the entire thickness of the pressure-resistant hosebecomes relatively large, thereby increasing its manufacturing cost,deteriorating its flexibility, and reducing productivity in itsmanufacture owing to its complexity in construction.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mindthe above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of first,second and third inventions is to provide a pressure-resistant hose andforming method thereof, which is capable of effectively spouting liquidor gas of high pressure even though the pressure-resistant hose is of arelatively small thickness, reducing the material cost of thepressure-resistant hose, improving the flexibility of thepressure-resistant hose and increasing productivity in manufacturing thepressure-resistant hose due to the simplicity in the construction of thepressure-resistant hose.

[0006] An object of a fourth invention is to provide apressure-resistant hose forming apparatus and method that is capable ofpreventing the pressure-resistant hose from being scratched and coolingfrictional heat generated between a fabric sheet and the apparatus bycontinuously supplied air to prevent the fabric sheet from beingexpanded and contracted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the schematicconstruction of a pressure-resistant hose forming apparatus inaccordance with a first invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the pressure-resistant hoseforming apparatus in accordance with the first invention;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line III-III of FIG. 2,showing a first hose layer that is bonded at its longitudinal ends bythe forming apparatus in accordance with the first invention;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2,showing a pressure-resistant hose that is formed to have two hose layersby the forming apparatus in accordance with the first invention;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing theconstruction of the pressure-resistant hose formed in accordance withthe first invention;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fabric sheet for apressure-resistant hose in accordance with a second invention;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a pressure-resistant hosefabricated using the fabric sheet of FIG. 6;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another fabric sheet for apressure-resistant hose in accordance with a third invention;

[0016]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the pressure-resistant hosefabricated using the fabric sheet of FIG. 8;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a pressure-resistant hoseforming apparatus in accordance with the second and third inventions;

[0018]FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a pressure-resistant hoseformed by means of the apparatus of FIG. 10;

[0019]FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a pressure-resistanthose forming apparatus in accordance with a fourth invention;

[0020]FIG. 13 is a side elevation of FIG. 12;

[0021]FIG. 14a is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 13;

[0022]FIG. 14b is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 13; and

[0023]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a pressure-resistant hose formingmethod in accordance with the fourth invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0024] In accordance with an aspect of a first invention, there isprovided a pressure-resistant hose, comprising: a first hose layer, thefirst hose layer being formed by bonding together longitudinal ends of afirst polyethylene mixture fabric coated with one or two watertightfilms at one or both surfaces of the first polyethylene mixture fabric;and one or more second hose layers, each of the second hose layers beingformed by bonding together longitudinal ends of a second polyethylenemixture fabric coated with one-or two watertight films at one or bothsurfaces of the second polyethylene mixture fabric.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the first invention, thebonded portions of the first hose layer and the second hose layers arecircumferentially spaced apart from one another so as not to beoverlapped.

[0026] In accordance with a further aspect of the first invention, thereis provided a resistant-pressure hose forming method, comprising:rendering a first polyethylene mixture fabric to have a circular crosssection by passing the first polyethylene mixture fabric, coated withwatertight films at one or both surfaces, through a first guide memberto overlap a first longitudinal end of the first polyethylene mixturefabric on a second longitudinal end; continuously applying a bondingagent on one longitudinal end of the first polyethylene mixture fabric;forming a first bonded portion by bonding together both longitudinalends of the first polyethylene mixture fabric while guiding the firstpolyethylene mixture fabric to surround an outer surface of the centralpipe; continuously applying a bonding agent on an outer surface of thefirst polyethylene mixture fabric, which is being moved along an outersurface of the central pipe, at a plurality of positions; rendering asecond polyethylene mixture fabric to have a circular cross section bypassing the second polyethylene mixture fabric, which is coated withwatertight films at one or both surfaces, through a second guide memberto overlap a first longitudinal end of the second polyethylene mixturefabric on a second longitudinal end, continuously applying a bondingagent on one longitudinal end of the second polyethylene mixture fabric;bonding the-second polyethylene mixture fabric on the first polyethylenemixture fabric at a plurality of positions, on which the bonding agentis applied, while guiding the second polyethylene mixture fabric tosurround the first polyethylene mixture fabric along an outer surface ofthe central pipe; and forming a second bonded portion by bondingtogether both longitudinal ends of the second polyethylene mixturefabric that is moved together with the first polyethylene mixture fabricalong the central pipe.

[0027] In accordance with yet another aspect of the first invention, themethod further comprises the step of pressing a finishedpressure-resistant hose by means of a pair of pressing rollers so as towind the finished pressure-resistant hose around a winding roll.

[0028] In accordance with still further aspect of the first invention,the first guide member and the second guide member are spaced apart fromeach other along a circumferential direction of the central pipe so asto prevent the first bonded portion from being overlapped with thesecond bonded portion.

[0029] According to the above-described characteristics of the firstinvention, since the pressure-resistant hose is fabricated using two ormore layers of polyethylene mixture fabrics coated with one or twowatertight films at one or both surfaces of each and bonded together atboth longitudinal ends of each, the pressure-resistant hose is capableof effectively spouting liquid or gas of high pressure even though thepressure-resistant hose is of a relatively small thickness, reducing thematerial cost of the pressure-resistant hose and improving theflexibility of the pressure-resistant hose.

[0030] Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the samereference numerals are used throughout the different drawings todesignate the same or similar components.

[0031]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the schematicconstruction of a pressure-resistant hose forming apparatus inaccordance with the first invention. FIG. 2 is a side elevation showingthe pressure-resistant hose forming apparatus in accordance with thefirst invention. FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line III-III ofFIG. 2, showing a first hose layer that is bonded at its longitudinalends by the forming apparatus in accordance with the first invention.FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2, showing apressure-resistant hose that is formed to have two hose layers by theforming apparatus in accordance with the first invention. FIG. 5 is apartially enlarged perspective view showing the construction of thepressure-resistant hose formed in accordance with the first invention.

[0032] The pressure-resistant hose 12 according to the first inventioncomprises a first hose layer 14 and a second hose layer 16. The firstand second hose layers 14 and 16 are respectively made of a firstpolyethylene mixture fabric 48 and a second polyethylene mixture fabric50.

[0033] The first polyethylene mixture fabric 48 and the secondpolyethylene mixture fabric 50 are respectively coated with watertightfilms 44 on both side surfaces. The first polyethylene mixture fabric 48and the second polyethylene mixture fabric 50 are respectively bondedtogether at their longitudinal ends to form circular cross sections,thus forming a first bonded portion 40 and a second bonded portion 42.

[0034] The outer surface of the first hose layer 14 and the innersurface of the second hose layer 16 are securely bonded together, sothat the first and second hose layers 14 and 16 are not movedrespectively. The first bonded portion 40 of the first hose layer 14 andthe second bonded portion 42 of the second hose layer 16 are spacedapart from each other in a circumferential direction to prevent one frombeing overlapped with the other. With such construction, there isprevented a problem in which pressure-resistance is deteriorated at alocation where the first bonded portion 40 of the first hose layer 14 isoverlapped with the second bonded portion 42 of the second hose layer16.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the first invention, the firstbonded portion 40 of the first hose layer 14 and the second bondedportion 42 of the second hose layer 16 are spaced apart from each otherin a circumferential direction by 180 degrees.

[0036] The pressure-resistant forming apparatus 10 of the firstinvention includes a central pipe 38 that is extended vertically. Afirst supply roll 18 is disposed at a position away from the upper endof the central pipe, 38 to upward and lateral directions so as tocontinuously supply the first polyethylene mixture fabric 48 coated withwatertight films 44 on its inner and outer surfaces. A first guidemember 22 is disposed between the upper end of the central pipe 38 andthe first supply roll 18 so as to guide the continuously supplied firstpolyethylene mixture fabric 48 to form a circular cross section byoverlapping one longitudinal end of the first polyethylene mixturefabric 48 with the other longitudinal end.

[0037] A first bonding agent applying nozzle 26 is located slightly overa position where one longitudinal end of the first polyethylene mixturefabric 48 is overlapped with the other longitudinal end of the firstpolyethylene mixture fabric 48. The first bonding agent applying nozzle26 serves to continuously apply a bonding agent on one longitudinal endof the first polyethylene mixture fabric 48. The first polyethylenemixture fabric 48 guided to have a circular cross section with a bondingagent being applied on its one longitudinal end is moved whilesurrounding the outer surface of the central pipe 38.

[0038] A first pressing roller 32 is disposed at a position under theupper end of the central pipe 38 beside the central pipe 38. The firstpressing roller 32 serves to press both longitudinal ends of the firstpolyethylene mixture fabric 48 toward the central pipe 38 to be bonded,thus forming the first bonded portion 40. Accordingly, the forming ofthe first hose layer is completed.

[0039] A second supply roll 20 is disposed at a position away from thecenter portion of the central pipe 38 to upward and lateral directionsso as to continuously supply the first polyethylene mixture fabric 50coated with watertight films 44 on its inner and outer surfaces.

[0040] A plurality of second bonding agent applying nozzles 28 arelocated over a position where one longitudinal end of the secondpolyethylene mixture fabric 50 is overlapped with the other longitudinalend. The second bonding agent applying nozzles 28 serve to continuouslyapply a bonding agent on the first hose layer 14, which is moved alongthe outer surface of the central pipe 38, at a plurality of positions.

[0041] A second guide member 24 is disposed between the center portionof the central pipe 38 and the second supply roll 20 so as to guide thecontinuously supplied second polyethylene mixture fabric 50 to have acircular cross section by overlapping one longitudinal end of the secondpolyethylene mixture fabric 50 with the other longitudinal end. A thirdbonding agent applying nozzle 30 is located slightly over a positionwhere one longitudinal end of the second polyethylene mixture fabric 50is overlapped with the other longitudinal end. The third bonding agentapplying nozzle 30 serves to continuously apply a bonding agent on onelongitudinal end of the second polyethylene mixture fabric 50.

[0042] The second polyethylene mixture fabric 50, which is guided tohave a circular cross section with a bonding agent being applied on onelongitudinal end, is moved while surrounding the outer surface of thecentral pipe 38. As a result, the second polyethylene mixture fabric 50is bonded on the first hose layer 14 by means of the bonding agentapplied on the outer surface of the first hose layer 14 at a pluralityof positions.

[0043] A second pressing roller 34 is disposed at a position under thesecond guide member 24 beside the central pipe 38. The second pressingroller 34 serves to press both longitudinal ends of the secondpolyethylene mixture fabric 50 toward the central pipe 38 to be bondedtogether, thus forming the second bonded portion 42. Accordingly, theforming of the pressure-resistant hose 12 having two hose layers iscompleted.

[0044] A pair of third pressing rollers 36 are disposed under the lowerend of the central pipe 38. The third pressing rollers 36 serve to pressthe finished pressure-resistant hose to reduce its volume.

[0045] The pressed pressure-resistant hose 12 is wound around a windingroll (not shown) disposed under the third pressing rollers 36.

[0046] In accordance with an aspect of the second and third inventions,there is provided a pressure-resistant hose, comprising: a plurality ofpolyethylene mixture fabrics and a plurality of watertight films, thepolyethylene mixture fabrics and the watertight films being laminatedtogether; and a polyethylene protection film laminated on at least oneof inner and outer surfaces of the laminated body to form a fabricsheet; wherein a first longitudinal end of the fabric sheet is laminatedon a second longitudinal end with the polyethylene protection film beingdisposed to constitute an innermost layer of the fabric film, so as toform a hose.

[0047] In accordance with another aspect of the second invention, thefabric sheet is formed in such a way that the polyethylene mixturefabrics and watertight films are alternately laminated to form a firstauxiliary sheet layer so that the watertight films are disposed on bothsurfaces of the laminated body, and the polyethylene protection film islaminated on the outer surface of the first auxiliary sheet layer.

[0048] In accordance with a further aspect of the second invention, thefabric sheet is formed in such a way that the watertight films arerespectively laminated on both surfaces of each of the polyethylenemixture fabrics into a plurality of second auxiliary sheet layers,bonding watertight films are laminated between the second auxiliarylayers into a multi-layered structure, and the polyethylene protectionfilm is disposed on the outer surface of the multi-layered structure.

[0049]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fabric sheet for apressure-resistant hose in accordance with the second invention. FIG. 7is a perspective view showing the pressure-resistant hose fabricatedusing the fabric sheet.

[0050]FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another fabric sheet for apressure-resistant hose in accordance with the third invention. FIG. 9is a perspective view showing the pressure-resistant hose fabricatedusing the fabric sheet.

[0051] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pressure-resistant hose 60of the second invention is fabricated in the form of a hose byoverlapping one longitudinal end of the fabric sheet S includingmulti-layered polyethylene mixture fabric with the other longitudinalend. The pressure-resistant hose may be fabricated using the fabricsheet S made by laminating a polyethylene protection film 61 on theouter surface of a first auxiliary sheet layer 62 to 66.

[0052] The first auxiliary layer 62 to 66 is formed by alternately andfixedly laminating a plurality of polyethylene mixture fabric 63 and 65and watertight films 62, 64 and 66. Since the watertight films 62 and 66constitute the inner and outer surfaces of the first auxiliary layer 62to 66, the polyethylene mixture fabrics 63 and 65 are not exposed.

[0053] When the first auxiliary sheet layer 62 to 66 is fabricated, thepolyethylene mixtures 63 and 65 are fabricated to have melting pointshigher than the melting points of the watertight films 62, 64 and 66,thereby allowing the polyethylene mixture fabrics 63 and 65 to besecurely combined with the watertight films 62, 64 and 66. The reasonwhy the melting points of the polyethylene mixture fabrics 63 and 65 aredesigned to be different from the melting points of the watertight films62, 64 and 66 is that combined portions may get loose when membershaving the same melting point are combined with each other.

[0054] The polyethylene protection film 61 fixedly laminated on theouter surface of the watertight film 62 is rendered to have a meltingpoint higher than the melting point of the watertight film 62, therebyallowing the polyethylene protection film 61 to be securely laminated onthe watertight film 62.

[0055] When the pressure-resistant hose 60 is fabricated using thefabric sheet S made as described above, one longitudinal end of thefabric sheet S is fixedly laminated on the other longitudinal end toform a hose with the polyethylene protection film 61 constituting theinnermost layer of the hose, so that the pressure hose 60 is fabricatedto have a strength that sufficiently stands the discharge pressure ofgas or liquid passing through the pressure-resistant hose 60. In orderto increase the strength of the pressure-resistant hose 60, anadditional polyethylene protection film having a melting point higherthan the melting point of the watertight film 66 may be fixedlylaminated on the outer surface of the outermost watertight film 66.

[0056]FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing the pressure-resistant hose inaccordance with the third invention. The pressure-resistant hose 70 ofthe third invention is fabricated using a fabric sheet S that is made byfixedly laminating a plurality of second auxiliary sheet layers 72 and76 including polyethylene mixture fabrics with a bonding watertight film74 being interposed between the layers 72 and 76, and fixedly laminatinga polyethylene protection film 78 on the outer surface of the previouslaminated body.

[0057] The second auxiliary sheet layer 72 or 76 is made by respectivelycoating a pair of watertight films 72 a and 72 c, or 76 a and 76 c onboth surfaces of the polyethylene mixture fabric 72 b or 76 b. In such acase, the watertight films 72 a, 72 c, 76 a and 76 c have melting pointslower than the melting points of the polyethylene mixture fabrics of 72b and 76 b, thereby allowing the laminated portions thereof to besecurely combined.

[0058] The bonding watertight film 74 fixedly laminated while beinginterposed between the second auxiliary sheet layers 72 and 76 isrendered to have a melting point higher than the melting points of theneighboring watertight films 72 c and 76 a, so that the second auxiliarysheet layers 72 and 76 are securely laminated together with the bondingwatertight film 74 being interposed between the second auxiliary layers72 and 76.

[0059] The polyethylene protection film 78 fixedly laminated on theouter surface of the watertight film 76 c is also rendered to have amelting point higher than the melting point of the watertight film 76 c,thereby securely laminating the polyethylene protection film 78 on thewatertight film 76 c.

[0060] When the pressure-resistant hose 70 is fabricated using thefabric sheet S made as described above, one longitudinal end of thefabric sheet S is fixedly laminated on the other longitudinal end toform a hose with the polyethylene protection film 78 constituting theinnermost layer of the hose, so that the pressure hose 70 is fabricatedto have a strength that stands sufficiently the discharge pressure ofgas or liquid passing through the pressure-resistant hose 70. In orderto increase the strength of the pressure-resistant hose 70, anadditional polyethylene protection film having a melting point higherthan the watertight film 72 a may be fixedly laminated on the outersurface of the outermost watertight film 72 a.

[0061] As can seen from the above embodiment, the pressure-resistanthoses are fabricated using the multi-layered polyethylene fabric sheet Swherein two or more layers of polyethylene mixture fabrics are securelycombined with one another, so that there are easily fabricated thepressure-resistant hoses 60 and 70 having a considerably small thicknessand an inferior flexibility in comparison with a conventionalpressure-resistant hose having a rubber tube layer and a plurality offabric layers.

[0062] In fabricating the resistant-hoses 60 and 70, the upperconstruction of the construction of the forming apparatuses shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 should be modified. That is, the multi-layeredpolyethylene fabric sheet S is supplied instead of the firstpolyethylene mixture fabric S supplied from the above-described firstguide member 22. With the modified construction, the pressure-resistanthoses 60 and 70 are formed in such a way that the first polyethylenemixture fabric S is rendered to surround the central pipe 38 with theends of the first polyethylene mixture fabric S being bonded securely.

[0063]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a pressure-resistant hoseforming apparatus in accordance with the second and third inventions.The pressure-resistant hose forming apparatus includes a guide member101 for guiding the polyethylene fabric sheet S supplied from a windingroll (not shown) with the side portions being bent.

[0064] Two pushing rollers 102 for pushing the fabric sheet S tightly onthe guide member 101 are positioned over the guide member 101. Aseparating plate 103 is disposed behind the pushing rollers 102. Sincethe separating plate 103 is positioned to be spaced apart from the guidemember 101, the fabric sheet S passes through the gap between theseparating plate 103 and the guide member 101.

[0065] A central pipe 104 is longitudinally disposed behind theseparating plate 103 so as to render the fabric sheet S to form a hosewhile surrounding the central pipe 104. A first guide roller 105 andsecond guide rollers 107 for overlapping one longitudinal end of thefabric sheet S surrounding the central pipe 104 with the otherlongitudinal end are arranged over the central pipe 104 in order. Abonding agent applying nozzle 106 for applying a bonding agent on theoverlapped portion of the fabric sheet S is disposed between the firstguide roller 105 and the second guide rollers 107.

[0066] With the above-described construction, the fabric sheet Ssupplied toward the guide member 101 is pushed to the upper surface ofthe guide member 101 and is moved with its side portions being bentupward, by the operation of the pushing rollers 102 and the separatingplate 103. Thereafter, the fabric sheet S discharged through the gapbetween the separating plate 103 and the guide member 101 is moved alongthe outer surface of the central pipe 104. At this time, onelongitudinal end of the fabric sheet S is pushed tight on the centralpipe 104 by the first guide roller 105, a bonding agent is applied onthe outer surface of the longitudinal end pushed tight on the centralpipe 104 by the bonding agent applying nozzle 106, and the otherlongitudinal end of the fabric sheet S is pushed tight on the centralpipe 104 while being overlapped with the former longitudinal end by thesecond guide roller 107. As a result, both longitudinal ends of thefabric sheet S are bonded together by means of the bonding agent, thusforming a hose.

[0067] However, the pressure-resistant hose forming apparatus causes thesupplied fabric sheet S to be bent abruptly in the process of beingmoved through the bent gap between the guide member 101 and theseparating plate 103. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the inner surfaces ofthe side portions of the fabric sheet S are frequently scratched. Sincethe scratched hose may be easily ruptured when high pressure is appliedto the hose, the scratched hose cannot be utilized as a reliablepressure-resistant hose.

[0068] Additionally, the pressure-resistant hose forming apparatusgenerates heat owing to continuous friction between the moved fabricsheet S and the apparatus. Such frictional heat causes the fabric sheetto be partially expanded and contracted, thereby deteriorating thestrength of the fabricated hose.

[0069] The above-described defects can be effectively overcome by apressure-resistant hose forming apparatus in accordance with a fourthinvention. In the pressure-resistant hose forming apparatus inaccordance with the fourth invention, as a fabric sheet supplied from awinding roll passes through the guide passages of a plurality of guideblocks mounted along a central pipe, the fabric sheet is graduallyrounded around the central pipe to form a hose. As a result, thepressure-resistant hose is prevented from being scratched, so that thepressure-resistant hose is designed to stand its inner high pressuresufficiently when liquid or gas of high pressure is conveyed through thehose.

[0070] In accordance with an aspect of the fourth invention, there isprovided a resistant-pressure hose forming apparatus, comprising: acentral pipe disposed along a path through which a fabric sheet ismoved, the central pipe having an outside diameter equal to an insidediameter of an objective pressure-resistant hose; a plurality of guideblocks arranged along the central pipe one after another, the guideblocks respectively having guide passages to form a hose in such a waythat a first longitudinal end of the fabric sheet is overlapped with asecond longitudinal end and the fabric sheet surrounds the central pipewhile being moved along the central pipe; a bonding agent applyingnozzle for continuously applying a bonding agent between thelongitudinal ends of the fabric sheet that has passed through the guideblocks, the bonding agent applying nozzle being disposed behind theguide blocks; and one or more pressing rollers for pressing anoverlapped portion of the fabric sheet toward the central pipe so thatboth overlapped longitudinal ends of the fabric sheet are bondedtogether by the bonding agent, the pressing roller being disposed behindthe bonding agent applying nozzle.

[0071] In accordance with another aspect of the fourth invention, theguide blocks comprise: a first guide block surrounding the front outersurface of the central pipe and having a U-shaped first guide passageformed along a longitudinal direction of the central pipe to curve thefabric sheet supplied from the winding roll in the form of a “U”; asecond guide block, the second guide block surrounding the central outersurface of the central pipe and having a second guide passage formedalong a longitudinal direction of the central pipe to allow a halfportion of the fabric sheet to surround the central pipe, left and rightside portions of the second guide passage being respectively semi-Ushaped and semicircular-shaped and the left and right side portionsbeing connected at their lower ends; and a third guide block, the thirdguide block surrounding the rear outer surface of the central pipe andhaving a circular third guide passage formed along a longitudinaldirection of the central pipe to allow the fabric sheet having passedthrough the third guide block to surround the central pipe while a firstend of the fabric sheet is overlapped with a second end of the fabricsheet.

[0072] In accordance with a further aspect of the fourth invention, aplurality of air pressure chambers are formed on the upper and lowersides of the guide passages of the guide blocks so that air pressureapplied from the outside is continuously applied to the air pressurechambers, so as to prevent friction between the fabric sheet and theguide blocks.

[0073] In accordance with yet another aspect of the fourth invention, aplurality of air supply conduits are longitudinally formed in theinterior of the central pipe for supplying air from the outside, and aplurality of branches are radially formed to be extended from the airsupply conduits to a portion of the outer surface of the central pipewith which the fabric sheet comes into contact, so as to preventfriction between the fabric sheet and guide blocks.

[0074] In accordance with a still further aspect of the fourthinvention, a pressure-resistant hose forming method, comprising thesteps of: moving a fabric sheet supplied from a winding roll along acentral pipe; curving the fabric sheet to have a U-shaped cross sectionby passing the fabric sheet through a U-shaped first guide passage of afirst guide block; allowing a half portion of the fabric sheet tosurround a half portion of the central pipe by passing the U-shapedfabric sheet through a second guide passage of a second guide block, thesecond guide passage having a semicircular cross section and a semi-Ucross section; overlapping a first longitudinal end of the fabric sheeton a second longitudinal end while the fabric sheet surrounds thecentral pipe and the first longitudinal end is spaced apart from thesecond longitudinal end, by passing the fabric sheet through a thirdguide passage of a third guide block; applying a bonding agent betweenboth longitudinal ends of the fabric sheet; and bonding together thelongitudinal ends of the fabric sheet with the bonding agent by pressingan overlapped portion of the fabric sheet, on which the bonding agent isapplied, toward the central pipe is provided.

[0075] In accordance with an additional aspect of the fourth invention,the method further comprises the step of applying predetermined airpressure from the central pipe or guide blocks to the fabric sheetduring the first to third steps so as to prevent friction between thefabric sheet and the central pipe, or guide blocks.

[0076]FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a pressure-resistanthose forming apparatus in accordance with the fourth invention. FIG. 13is a side sectional elevation of the pressure-resistant hose formingapparatus. FIG. 14a is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 13.FIG. 14b is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 13. As shownin the drawings, the pressure-resistant hose forming apparatus 100comprises a central pipe 110, a plurality of guide blocks 120 to 140, aroller 150, a bonding agent applying nozzle 155 and a pressing roller160.

[0077] The central pipe 110 is a cylindrical body having an outsidediameter equal to the inside diameter of an objective pressure-resistanthose. The central pipe 110 is longitudinally disposed so that the fabricsheet is moved through the central pipe 110 in the process of beingformed.

[0078] The guide blocks 120 to 140 have guide passages so that thefabric sheet continuously moved through the central pipe 110 graduallysurrounds the central pipe 110 and simultaneously one longitudinal endof the fabric sheet is overlapped with the other longitudinal end toform a hose having a desired shape. A plurality of guide blocks arearranged along the central pipe 110. The guide blocks may comprise threeguide blocks 120 to 140 that are arranged while being spaced apart fromeach other.

[0079] The first guide block 120 is constructed to surround the frontouter surface of the central pipe 110 and to have a U-shaped first guidepassage 122 that is formed along the longitudinal direction of thecentral pipe 110. The first guide block 120 serves to curve the fabricsheet in the form of a “U” while the flat fabric sheet S supplied fromthe winding roll passes through the first guide passage 122 of the firstguide block 120.

[0080] The second guide block 130 is constructed to surround the centralouter surface of the central pipe 110 and to have a second guide passage132 that is formed along the longitudinal direction of the central pipe110. In this case, the left and right side portions of the second guidepassage 132 are respectively semi-U-shaped and semicircular-shaped, andthe left and right side portions are connected at their lower ends. Thesecond guide block 130 serves to maintain the left side portion of theU-shaped fabric sheet S in a semi-U shape and to deform the right sideportion of the U-shaped fabric sheet S in the form of a semicircle tosurround the right portion of a central pipe 110 while the U-shapedfabric sheet S having passed through the first guide block 120 passesthrough the second guide block 130.

[0081] The third guide block 140 is constructed to surround the rearouter surface of the central pipe 110 and to have a circular third guidepassage 142 that is formed along the longitudinal direction of thecentral pipe 110. In this case, the right side portion of the thirdguide passage 142 has a semicircular shape equal to the right sideportion of the third guide passage 142 and the left side portion of thethird guide passage 142 has a semicircular shape extended from the lowerend of the right side portion of the third guide passage 142 to the leftside portion of the second guide passage 142. The third guide block 140serves to maintain the right side portion of the fabric sheet S in asemicircular shape and to deform the left side portion of the fabricsheet S in the form of a semicircle to surround the left portion of acentral pipe 110 and to overlap one longitudinal end of the fabric sheetS on the other longitudinal end while the fabric sheet S passing throughthe second guide block 140 and having a semi-U-shaped left side portionand a semicircular right side portion passes through the third guideblock 140.

[0082] The bonding agent applying nozzle 155 is disposed behind theguide blocks 120 to 140 so as to continuously apply a bonding agentbetween the longitudinal ends of the fabric sheet S that is moved withone longitudinal end of the fabric sheet S having been overlapped withthe other longitudinal end while passing through the guide blocks 120 to140. The roller 150 disposed in front of the bonding agent applyingnozzle 155 serves to prepare a sufficient space, into which the bondingagent applying nozzle 155 is inserted, by pressing the lowerlongitudinal end of the longitudinal ends of the fabric sheet S on thecentral pipe 110. The pressing rollers 160 are disposed behind thebonding agent applying nozzle 155, and serve to press the overlappedportion on which the bonding agent is applied by the bonding agentapplying nozzle 155.

[0083] The pressure-resistant hose forming method using thepressure-resistant hose forming apparatus 100 is described withreference to FIG. 15.

[0084] In a conveying step, the flat fabric sheet S wound around thewinding roll is moved along the central pipe 110. Thereafter, there isperformed a curving step wherein the fabric sheet S is curved to have aU-shaped cross section while the fabric sheet S supplied from thewinding roll passes through the first guide passage 122 of the firstguide block 120. The left side portion of the U-shaped fabric sheet S ismaintained in a semi-U shape and the right side portion of the U-shapedfabric sheet S is deformed in the form of a semicircle to surround theright portion of a central pipe 110 while the U-shaped fabric sheet Spasses through the second guide block 130 (a first bring-into-contactstep).

[0085] The right side portion of the fabric sheet S is maintained in asemicircular shape and the left side portion of the fabric sheet S isdeformed in the form of a semicircle to surround the left portion of acentral pipe 110 and to overlap one longitudinal end of the fabric sheetS on the other longitudinal end while the fabric sheet S having asemi-U-shaped left side portion and a semicircular right side portionpasses through the third guide block 140 (a second bring-into-contactstep).

[0086] As described above, since both longitudinal ends of the fabricsheet S are pressed one after another to form a circle while the flatfabric sheet S moved along the central pipe 110 passes through aplurality of guide blocks 120 to 140, the friction between the fabricsheet S and the guide blocks 120 to 140 can be minimized, therebypreventing the fabric sheet S from being scratched by the guide blocks120 to 140 or peripheral devices.

[0087] Although there has been described an example wherein three guideblocks 120 to 140 are employed, the number of the guide blocks can bevaried as occasion demands. In such a case, the guide blocks must bearranged to gradually curve the fabric sheet S in the form of a circleas the fabric sheet S passes through the guide blocks.

[0088] After the second bring-into-contact step, there is performed abonding agent applying step wherein the bonding agent is continuouslyapplied between the longitudinal ends of the fabric sheet S that ismoved while enclosing the central pipe 110. Both longitudinal ends ofthe fabric sheet S moved while surrounding the central pipe 110 arebonded together in such a way that the overlapped portion on which thebonding agent is applied in the bonding agent applying step is pressedby the pressing rollers 160 (a pressing step). Thus, a desired hose isfabricated.

[0089] In the meantime a plurality of air pressure chambers 122 a to 142a may be formed on the upper and lower sides of the guide passages 122to 142 of the guide blocks 120 to 140, so that air pressure can becontinuously applied at the same pressure value to the air pressurechambers 122 a to 142 a from the outside. With the above construction,the fabric sheet S passing through the guide passages 122 to 142 of theguide blocks 120 to 140 are placed under the same air pressure, so thatthe friction between the fabric sheet S and the guide blocks 120 to 140is scarcely generated, thereby preventing the fabric sheet S from beingscratched and frictional heat from being generated.

[0090] In such a case, in order to allow the air pressure to be appliedto the air pressure chambers 122 a to 142 a, there are formed aplurality of air supply conduits 125 to 145 extended from the outersurfaces of the guide blocks 120 to 140 to the air pressure chambers 122a to 142 a. As illustrated in the drawing, the air pressure ispreferably applied to some air pressure chambers through air supplyconduits that pass through the interior of the central pipe 110.

[0091] In the interior of the central pipe 110, an air supply conduit115 to which air is supplied from the outside is formed in thelongitudinal direction of the central pipe 110, a plurality oflongitudinal grooves 117 formed along the longitudinal direction of thecentral pipe 110 are formed in regular intervals on the outer surface ofthe central pipe 110 with which the fabric sheet S comes into contact,and a plurality of branches 116 are formed to be extended from the airsupply conduit 115 to the longitudinal grooves 117. Reference number 115a designates air storage chambers that temporarily store air suppliedfrom the outside.

[0092] With the above construction, air pressure applied from theoutside is applied between the fabric sheet S moved along the centralpipe 110 and the outer surface of the central pipe 110 through the airsupply conduit 115, the air storage chambers 115 a, the branches 116 andthe longitudinal grooves 117 in order, thereby preventing the fabricsheet S from sticking to the central pipe 110 and, consequently,preventing the friction between the fabric sheet S and the outer surfaceof the central pipe 110.

[0093] In such a case, the branches 116 and the longitudinal grooves 117are formed on the portion of the outer surface of the central pipe 110to which the fabric sheet S sticks, that is, the portion that the movedfabric sheet S surrounds, of the outer surface of the central pipe 110,thereby preventing air pressure from being reduced by the unnecessarydischarge of air pressure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0094] As described above, in accordance with the present invention, apressure-resistant hose is formed using two or more layers ofpolyethylene mixture fabrics whose longitudinal ends are bonded togetherand whose one side surface or both sides surfaces are coated with one ortwo watertight films, so that the pressure-resistant hose can beeffectively utilized to sprout liquid or gas of high pressure, thethickness of the pressure-resistant hose is reduced, the material costof the pressure-resistant hose is economized, the flexibility of thepressure-resistant hose is improved and the forming of thepressure-resistant hose is simplified and facilitated, in comparisonwith the conventional pressure-resistant hose having a plurality ofrubber tube layers and a plurality of fabric layers.

[0095] In a pressure-resistant hose forming apparatus andpressure-resistant hose forming method in accordance with the presentinvention, since a fabric sheet supplied from a winding roll isgradually curved around a central pipe into a hose while passing throughthe guide passages of a plurality of guide blocks, a hose beingfabricated is prevented from being scratched, so that a fabricated hosestands high pressure sufficiently when liquid or gas of high pressure isconveyed through the hose.

[0096] In accordance with the present invention, friction between afabric sheet and a central pipe, or guide blocks is prevented in such away that a constant air pressure is applied to the fabric sheet from thecentral pipe and the guide blocks, thereby preventing a fabricatedpressure hose from being scratched and cooling frictional heat generatedbetween the fabric sheet and the apparatus by means of air suppliedcontinuously to prevent the fabric sheet from being expanded andcontracted.

[0097] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventionas disclosed in the accompanying claims. For example, although apressure-resistant hose is depicted to have two hose layers in theabove-described embodiments, it should be understood that thepressure-resistant hose may be formed to have three or more hose layers.

1. A pressure-resistant hose, comprising: a first hose layer, the firsthose layer being formed by bonding together longitudinal ends of a firstpolyethylene mixture fabric coated with one or two watertight films atone or both surfaces of the first polyethylene mixture fabric; and oneor more second hose layers, each of said second hose layers being formedby bonding together longitudinal ends of a second polyethylene mixturefabric coated with one or two watertight films at one or both surfacesof the second polyethylene mixture fabric.
 2. The hose according toclaim 1, wherein the bonded portions of said first hose layer and saidsecond hose layers are circumferentially spaced apart from one anotherso as not to be overlapped.
 3. The hose according to claim 1, wherein aplurality of bonding agent strips are longitudinally formed on thecontact surfaces of said first hose layer and said second hose layers.4. A pressure-resistant hose, comprising: a plurality of polyethylenemixture fabrics and a plurality of watertight films, said polyethylenemixture fabrics and said watertight films being laminated together; anda polyethylene protection film laminated on at least one of inner andouter surfaces of the laminated body to form a fabric sheet; wherein afirst longitudinal end of the fabric sheet is laminated on a secondlongitudinal end with the polyethylene protection film being disposed toconstitute an innermost layer of the fabric film, so as to form a hose.5. The hose according to claim 4, wherein said fabric sheet is formed insuch a way that said polyethylene mixture fabrics and watertight filmsare alternately laminated to form a first auxiliary sheet layer so thatsaid watertight films are disposed on both surfaces of the laminatedbody, and said polyethylene protection film is laminated on an outersurface of said first auxiliary sheet layer.
 6. The hose according toclaim 4, wherein said fabric sheet is formed in such a way that saidwatertight films are respectively laminated on both surfaces of each ofsaid polyethylene mixture fabrics into a plurality of second auxiliarysheet layers, bonding watertight films are laminated between the secondauxiliary layers into a multi-layered structure, and said polyethyleneprotection film is disposed on an outer surface of the multi-layeredstructure.
 7. A resistant-pressure hose forming method, comprising:rendering a first polyethylene mixture fabric to have a circular crosssection by passing the first polyethylene mixture fabric, coated withwatertight films at one or both surfaces, through a first guide memberto overlap a first longitudinal end of the first polyethylene mixturefabric on a second longitudinal end; continuously applying a bondingagent on one longitudinal end of the first polyethylene mixture fabric;forming a first bonded portion by bonding together both longitudinalends of the first polyethylene mixture fabric while guiding the firstpolyethylene mixture fabric to surround an outer surface of the centralpipe; continuously applying a bonding agent on an outer surface of thefirst polyethylene mixture fabric, which is being moved along an outersurface of said central pipe, at a plurality of positions; rendering asecond polyethylene mixture fabric to have a circular cross section bypassing the second polyethylene mixture fabric, which is coated withwatertight films at one or both surfaces, through a second guide memberto overlap a first longitudinal end of the second polyethylene mixturefabric on a second longitudinal end; continuously applying a bondingagent on one longitudinal end of the second polyethylene mixture fabric;bonding the second polyethylene mixture fabric on the first polyethylenemixture fabric at a plurality of positions, on which the bonding agentis applied, while guiding the second polyethylene mixture fabric tosurround the first polyethylene mixture fabric along an outer surface ofthe central pipe; and forming a second bonded portion by bondingtogether both longitudinal ends of the second polyethylene mixturefabric that is moved together with the first polyethylene mixture fabricalong the central pipe.
 8. The method according to claim 7, furthercomprising the step of pressing a finished pressure-resistant hose bymeans of a pair of pressing rollers so as to wind the finishedpressure-resistant hose around a winding roll.
 9. The method accordingto claim 7, wherein said first guide member and said second guide memberare spaced apart from each other along a circumferential direction ofsaid central pipe so as to prevent said first bonded portion from beingoverlapped with said second bonded portion.
 10. A resistant-pressurehose forming apparatus, comprising: a central pipe disposed along a paththrough which a fabric sheet is moved, said central pipe having anoutside diameter equal to an inside diameter of an objectivepressure-resistant hose; a plurality of guide blocks arranged along thecentral pipe one after another, said guide blocks respectively havingguide passages to form a hose in such a way that a first longitudinalend of the fabric sheet is overlapped with a second longitudinal end andthe fabric sheet surrounds the central pipe while being moved along thecentral pipe; a bonding agent applying nozzle for continuously applyinga bonding agent between the longitudinal ends of the fabric sheet thathas passed through said guide blocks, said bonding agent applying nozzlebeing disposed behind the guide blocks; and one or more pressing rollersfor pressing an overlapped portion of the fabric sheet toward thecentral pipe so that both overlapped longitudinal ends of the fabricsheet are bonded together by the bonding agent, said pressing rollerbeing disposed behind the bonding agent applying nozzle.
 11. Theapparatus according to claim 10, wherein said guide blocks comprise: afirst guide block surrounding a front outer surface of said central pipeand having a U-shaped first guide passage formed along a longitudinaldirection of the central pipe to curve the fabric sheet supplied fromthe winding roll in the form of a “U”; a second guide block, said secondguide block surrounding a central outer surface of the central pipe andhaving a second guide passage formed along a longitudinal direction ofthe central pipe to allow a half portion of the fabric sheet to surroundthe central pipe, left and right side portions of the second guidepassage being respectively semi-U shaped and semicircular-shaped and theleft and right side portions being connected at their lower ends; and athird guide block, said third guide block surrounding a rear outersurface of the central pipe and having a circular third guide passageformed along a longitudinal direction of the central pipe to allow thefabric sheet having passed through said third guide block to surroundthe central pipe while a first end of the fabric sheet is overlappedwith a second end of the fabric sheet.
 12. The apparatus according toclaim 10 or 11, wherein a plurality of air pressure chambers are formedon upper and lower sides of the guide passages of said guide blocks sothat air pressure applied from the outside is continuously applied tothe air pressure chambers, so as to prevent friction between the fabricsheet and the guide blocks.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 10,wherein a plurality of air supply conduits are longitudinally formed inan interior of said central pipe for supplying air from the outside, anda plurality of branches are radially formed to be extended from said airsupply conduits to a portion of an outer surface of the central pipewith which the fabric sheet comes into contact, so as to preventfriction between the fabric sheet and guide blocks.
 14. Apressure-resistant hose forming method, comprising the steps of: movinga fabric sheet supplied from a winding roll along a central pipe;curving the fabric sheet to have a U-shaped cross section by passing thefabric sheet through a U-shaped first guide passage of a first guideblock; allowing a half portion of the fabric sheet to surround a halfportion of said central pipe by passing the U-shaped fabric sheetthrough a second guide passage of a second guide block, said secondguide passage having a semicircular cross section and a semi-U crosssection; overlapping a first longitudinal end of the fabric sheet on asecond longitudinal end while the fabric sheet surrounds the centralpipe and the first longitudinal end is spaced apart from the secondlongitudinal end, by passing the fabric sheet through a third guidepassage of a third guide block; applying a bonding agent between bothlongitudinal ends of the fabric sheet; and bonding together thelongitudinal ends of the fabric sheet with the bonding agent by pressingan overlapped portion of the fabric sheet, on which the bonding agent isapplied, toward the central pipe.
 15. The method according to claim 14,further comprising the step of applying predetermined air pressure fromsaid central pipe or guide blocks to said fabric sheet during said firstto third steps so as to prevent friction between said fabric sheet andsaid central pipe, or guide blocks.